Suffolk Boxing Day Dip

There’s nothing like a quick swim on Boxing Day to help work off those mince pies and roast potatoes!

The Maybush Inn in Waldringfield has teamed up with CLIC Sargent, to call for brave locals to take the plunge and sign up for the Boxing Day Dip and Nip. Hardy locals will be sponsored to take to the River Deben on the Suffolk coast for a quick dip before enjoying a hot cup or glass of something warming!

Steve Lomas, owner of The Maybush Inn, is hoping to attract up to 100 people to take to the water this Boxing Day to help children and young people with cancer, a cause close to his heart. Steve’s son was diagnosed with a rare form of leukaemia in 2003 whilst on a school trip to France. He was transferred to Addenbrooke’s Hospital in Cambridge for treatment before having to travel to Bristol for a bone marrow transplant. 

CLIC Sargent offered the family free self-catering accommodation close to Bristol Children’s Hospital at one of the Charity’s seven Homes from Home for as long as they needed while Steve’s son was being treated there. Steve and his friend Paul Cheshire raised thousands for CLIC Sargent when they took on a bike ride challenge in Vietnam in 2003.

Steve Lomas says, “I have decided to brave the elements and bare all as this charity is so close to our hearts. On a day when you should be sitting with your family by an open fire, full of Christmas cheer please give a thought to all the families who are sitting by a hospital bed with a child suffering from a life threatening illness, wondering if this will be your last Christmas together. Please come down and support this fantastic charity event by either dipping in the river or your pockets!”

“This is the first dip and nip we’ve held in Suffolk and I’m sure there are lots of brave locals who will join in the festive fun and help us raise thousands to support families like Steve’s,” says local Event Fundraising Manager for CLIC Sargent, Claire Palmer. 

"CLIC Sargent is currently helping around 40 families in Suffolk alone, offering clinical, practical and emotional support. It costs around £280 to welcome a family into one of our seven Homes from Home for 10 days. The money raised by the dip and nip will help us to continue to offer services like this to families who are going through the trauma of childhood cancer,” adds Claire.

Registration for the event opens at Waldringfield Sailing Club near Woodbridge at 10am, for an 11am start, and costs just £10 which includes a free CLIC Sargent T-shirt.  Festive or fancy dress is optional!  Participants are asked to raise a minimum of £50 in sponsorship to take part.

For more information or a registration pack contact Claire Palmer on: 01502 677777 or email: claire.palmer@clicsargent.org.uk.

ENDS

Notes to Editor:

• For any media enquiries please contact Ruth Bowen in the CLIC Sargent press office on: 0117 314 8617 or email: ruth.bowen@clicsargent.org.uk.